The Scugog Council for the Arts announced the winners of the 2010 Community in the Arts Awards at the organization’s recent AGM. The awards are presented annually and have been created by the SCA to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to the vibrancy of the arts community in Scugog. In addition to recognizing the awards recipients, the SCA has also acknowledged the wealth of local artistic talent by commissioning the 2010 presentation pieces from area artist, wood-turner, Ray Young.
Business for the Arts Award
This award recognizes a business that has shown an exemplary spirit of investment to the arts in Scugog.This year’s award has been presented to vocalist and music instructor, Lynn McDonald, for her dedication as an arts entrepreneur to bringing live music to the area through her jazz club Amis de Jazz and her concert series at various venues in Scugog.
Kent Farndale Patron of the Arts Award
In recognition of the overwhelming dedication to the arts shown by Kent Farndale, this award has been named in her honour and recognizes an individual who has shown an outstanding level of support to the arts in Scugog. This year’s award goes to Christy Chase, who continues to show a dedication to the arts that extends beyond her obligations as a former newspaper entertainment editor. Christy consistently supports performing and visual arts events throughout Durham, volunteers in local community theatre and serves on the Board of Directors of the SCA.
Artist for the Arts Award
The Artist for the Arts Award recognizes an individual artist who has shown significant support and involvement, not only in their own discipline but also in multiple areas of the arts throughout Scugog. Quilt artist and costumer, Sheila Nicholson has been recognized for her contribution, through her craft, to local community theatre and heritage organizations, and for her generous commitment of time to SCA activities and operations as a Membership volunteer.
New Artist in the Community
This award recognizes an artist who has newly established themselves in the community and has demonstrated a high level of support for the arts in Scugog within that time. The artist may literally be a new resident of Scugog, or be newly practicing art in Scugog. The creativity of 2010 recipient, Pamela Hollett, has become familiar in many community events and fundraisers from the Scarecrow Festival, Bras for the Cause, The Durham Children’s Aid Foundation Birdhouse Auction and, most recently, Pamela’s own fundraiser for the library expansion project, the very successful Easter Bonnet Contest.
Young Artist in the Community
This award celebrates an outstanding young artist in any discipline and serves as a reminder that the potential and future of the arts will be realized by our youth. Jamie Nix has shown outstanding accomplishment and potential as a dancer, both locally and internationally. Jamie is a past recipient of the Kent Farndale Bursary and, through a scholarship, has danced in Paris and attended workshops with So You Think You Can Dance choreographers and performers.